What does a dog want with Christmas?A fruitcake, an iPod, a new sweater, and more?Does the tree make the day special,Or does the blow up Santa in the yard hold a special place in his heart?What benefit is it to go to church with the candles and poinsettias,The hymns and carols, the readings and the pageants?

Is Christmas Day any different in a dog’s world?Does the day change the fact he wants to be petted and fed?When all the fluff is stripped away, does our canine friendWish for anything but what he always wants—Our time and care, our presence and loveOur undivided attention, our cuddly communion